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CA lawmaker seeks rights for transgender students

The Associated Press

Posted:
03/04/2013 05:02:01 PM EST

SAN FRANCISCO—A California lawmaker has introduced legislation aimed at guaranteeing that transgender students have the right to use public school restrooms and participate on sports teams that correspond with their expressed genders.

If approved by the state Legislature, Assemblyman Tom Ammiano's measure would give young people the right to participate in sex-segregated programs, activities and facilities regardless of what sexual category exists on their school records.

Discriminating against transgender people already is illegal in California, but the bill's supporters say AB1266 is necessary to ensure that school districts do not deny students opportunities to participate in activities or to feel welcome on campus.

A Colorado family recently filed a civil rights complaint against their school district after they were told their first-grader who was born a boy could not use the girl's bathroom.